The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the NSW government’s package of reforms around knife laws.
Yesterday, the NSW government announced that it will:
- Develop legislation modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law which will give police powers to “wand” or “scan” people for knives without a warrant in designated areas, including transport hubs, shopping centres and other crowded places.
- Make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18, with provisions for exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study.
- Increase penalties for people selling knives to young people under the age of 18.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra says the robust stance on knife laws will help improve protection for retail workers and customers.
“In our communities, retail precincts aren’t just places to shop – they’re vital hubs for socialising, dining, and employment. Everyone deserves to feel safe in these spaces,” he says.
“We appreciate the continued focus by the NSW government on this important area of public safety with this latest package of proposed reforms. We are committed to collaborating with the NSW government to establish clear and practical regulations regarding the sale of knives to minors.
“Consistency and effectiveness are key and we’re ready to ensure our members are aligned with these standards. We would also like to see better alignment across states and territories around retail crime legislation.”